The Burgas branch of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" is starting its fourth academic year with a new bachelor's degree: "Methods of Foreign Language Teaching: Korean".

Sofia University rector professor Elitsa Stefanova opened the new year. She said more degree programs would open to match what employers in the region need. The university's goal, she said, is to keep Bulgarian talent in the country.

"It's almost ten years since the idea of opening our Burgas branch was born," professor Stefanova said.

A year ago, the branch launched bachelor's programs in Japanese and Chinese. Korean now joins them.

Mayor Dimitar Nikolov said Burgas council has fitted out a new music studio at the university's request. Work on it is nearly done, and it will open soon for students to use in practice sessions.

The mayor also said the Burgas regional library "Peyo Yavorov" will open a Korean corner within days. "For four years now, Burgas has been a happy host to the Sofia University branch," Nikolov said.

The ceremony included the hymn Gaudeamus Igitur, after which first-year students received their student ID books. Guests included representatives of Burgas State University, the Confucius Institute, the Burgas branch of the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts, and local high schools.